Huskers Post Top B1G Marks at Frank Sevigne Meet

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nebraska track and field team capped the 2015 Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational on Saturday with some eye-popping marks before 1,836 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track.

James White competed in the high jump for the first time this season and showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with, clearing 7-3 to win the event and take over first in the Big Ten this season. White, who redshirted last season, had not competed in an indoor meet since his All-America performance at the 2013 NCAA Championships. His jump of 7-3 ranks tied for sixth in the nation this season.

Steven Cahoy smashed his previous PR and claimed the Big Ten lead in the pole vault, clearing 17-11. His mark ranks tied for ninth in the nation and puts him third on the top 10 all-time NU indoor chart. Jeff Coover, competing unattached, cleared 17-11 on his first try to win via tiebreaker, although Cahoy was the top collegiate competitor.

Sprinter Ricco Hall posted a blazing 20.90 in the 200 meters, a new PR and the second-best indoor mark in NU history. He finished second in the event, as USC's Andre De Grasse ran 20.78, the third-best mark in the country. Hall's time puts him first in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation.

The men's 4x400 relay team finished off the day with a season-best 3:09.62, good for 13th in the nation. Levi Gipson, Cody Rush, Drew Wiseman and Jacob Bender now rank third in the Big Ten.

On the women's side, sophomore Anna Peer ran away with the 3,000-meters title with a personal-best 9:42.48, beating her previous best of 9:47.08. Senior Marusa Cernjul captured her third high jump title in the last three meets with a mark of 6-0 1/2. 

Karolina Pahlitzsch finished second overall in the 600-meter special invite with a PR of 1:30.37 but was the top collegiate competitor. Bethany Praska had the top time in the event, breaking her previous meet record with a time of 1:28.66. In the unseeded women's 600 meters, Haley Harsin took second and Morgan Woitzel third at 1:32.89 and 1:33.20, respectively. Both were personal bests. 

In the men's 600 meters, Bender took second in 1:18.39, while London Hawk was third at 1:18.70, a new season best. Freshman Sam Bransby won the unseeded men's 600 meters in 1:20.33.

In the men's 800-meter special invite, freshman Moujtaba Mohammed took second with a mark of 1:50.76, a PR and the top time by a Husker this season. Edgar Propst won the unseeded 800 meters with a PR of 1:52.32. 

Carlie Pinkelman took second in the shot put, throwing 51-5 3/4. Will Lohman placed third in the shot put with a throw of 60-3 1/4, while former Husker Luke Pinkelman won the event with a throw of 63-0.

Cora Salas Planas' triple jump of 40-7 was a PR and put her fourth in the competition and third among collegiate athletes. Former Husker Mara Griva won the event at 43-1 1/2. Kadecia Baird finished fourth in a packed 200-meter field with a time of 23.76. Jordan Stiens was fourth in the women's 60-meter hurdles, posting a new PR of 8.42 to move into a tie for seventh on the all-time NU chart.

Noah Gabel finished second in the heptathlon with a personal-best 5,250 points. On Saturday, Gabel set PRs in two of the three events: the 60m hurdles (8.60) and pole vault (14-4 1/2). Guy Fenske finished fifth with a PR of 5,126 points. 

USC's De Grasse and Kansas State thrower Dani Winters were named the most valuable performers.

The Huskers hit the road next week for the first time this season. NU will be split between two places, as some travel to the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., while others go to the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa. Both meets are on Friday and Saturday.